CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSSOn 19 August, Private Grazier participated in a combat patrol east from the Marine perimeter to Tetere, Guadalcanal. As they prepared to take a noon chow break near the village of Pappangu, the patrol ran into advance scouts of Colonel Kiyono Ichicki’s detachment.

In the ensuing firefight, PFC Jack Gardner and Private John Buckhaltwere killed. Private Grazier attempted to flank a machine gun that was pinning down the platoon, but was spotted and shot down.

The three Marines were buried “in the Hills,” and the location was lost in the subsequent fighting for the island.

Biography:
Temporarily removed for editing and updating. Contact the webmaster for information on this Marine.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private George H. Grazier (MCSN: 368895), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Platoon Runner with the First Platoon of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 19 August 1942. Participating in a patrol near the village of Papangu, Private Grazer, when a hostile automatic weapon pinned two squads of Marines to the ground, boldly ran out on an exposed beach in order to bring his own fire to bear on the enemy and was killed in the attempt. His courageous initiative and complete disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of his country.